{{Short description|Audience with a guru for the purpose of spiritual or yogic instruction}} {{other uses}} '''Satsang''' ({{Langx|sa|सत्सङ्ग|lit=the company of truth|translit=Satsaṅga}}) is an audience with a satguru for the purpose of spiritual or yogic instruction. The ''satsanga'' is a gathering of good people<ref name="characters">{{Cite book |author=T. N. Padmavati |author2=A. S. Venugopal |author3=Sri Hari |author4=T. N. Prabhakar |author5=T. N. Saraswati |author6=T. R. Krishnamurthy |author7=Vidwan M. N. Lakshminarasimha Bhatta |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vHOODwAAQBAJ&dq=satsanga+good+company&pg=PT242 |title=Epic Characters of Puranas |date=2019-03-23 |publisher=Bharatha Samskruthi Prakashana |isbn=978-93-89028-75-1 |page=242 |language=en}}</ref> for the performance of devotional activities.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Kapoor |first=Subodh |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BSbgGLdGSRIC&dq=satsanga+satguru&pg=PA7815 |title=Indian Encyclopaedia |date=2002 |publisher=Cosmo Publications |isbn=978-81-7755-257-7 |page=7815 |language=en}}</ref><ref name="characters"/>
== Meanings == The word is derived from the Sanskrit ''sat'' meaning "purity or truth", and ''sanga'' meaning "in group or association". Thus the literal meaning of ''satsang'' is "the company of Truth", but it holds multiple meanings within the Sant and Bhakti traditions of northern India. Charlotte Vaudeville defines Sant as a distinct tradition because of its emphasis on devotion to the Divine Name (satnam), the Divine Guru (satguru), and the importance of the company of devotees (satsang). "Sat" (truth) in Indian traditions refers to that which is eternal and changeless. Along with "Cit" (consciousness) and Ānanda (bliss), it is a quality of Brahman (supreme being). In this context, Satsang represents an experience of Brahman, particularly as the personal Lord residing within the human heart.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |url=https://www.worldcat.org/title/ocm62133001 |title=Encyclopedia of Hinduism |date=2008 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=978-0-7007-1267-0 |editor-last=Cush |editor-first=Denise |location=London; New York |pages=774 |oclc=ocm62133001 |editor-last2=Robinson |editor-first2=Catherine A. |editor-last3=York |editor-first3=Michael}}</ref>
In bhakti traditions, satsang takes on a communal aspect, signifying gatherings of devotees for inspiration and focus amidst worldly distractions. It includes listening to spiritual discourses and singing praises of the divine.<ref name=":0" />
The main purpose of conducting satsanga by any organisation is for marking an important event in its history.<ref name="sa7">{{cite news |title=श्रीश्री रवि शंकर का 66वां जन्मदिन: गुरु पूजा से शुरुआत, सत्संग का संगत ने लिया आनंद, 1500 से ज्यादा लोग पहुंचे |url=https://www.bhaskar.com/local/punjab/patiala/news/beginning-with-guru-puja-the-company-of-satsang-enjoyed-more-than-1500-people-reached-129811775.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |publisher=Dainik Bhaskar |date=16 May 2022 |language=hi}}</ref><ref name="sa5">{{cite news |title=सत्संग की आवश्यकता युवा पीढ़ी को है- पंडित राधे राधे महाराज |url=https://zeenews.india.com/hindi/india/rajasthan/bhilwara/young-generation-needs-satsang-said-pandit-radhe-radhe-maharaj/1200685 |access-date=29 May 2022 |publisher=Zee News |date=29 May 2022 |language=hi}}</ref><ref name="sa4">{{cite news |title=सहरसा: भटपुरा में अखिल भारतीय संतमत सत्संग का विशेषाधिवेशन 7, 8 एवं 9 मई को |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/bihar/bhagalpur/story-saharsa-special-session-of-all-india-santmat-satsang-in-bhatpura-on-may-7-8-and-9-5931212.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |publisher=Hindustan |date=1 March 2022 |language=hindi}}</ref> Participating in any satsanga is considered pious in yogic sciences due to its benefits in spiritual upliftment of an aspirant.<ref name="sa2">{{cite news |title=Satsang: what it really means |url=https://hinduperspective.com/2015/03/15/satsang-what-it-really-means/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |publisher=The Hindu perspective |date=15 March 2015 |language=en}}</ref> Satsangs are generally conducted by any non-religious or spiritual organisations in large groups.<ref name="sa3">{{cite news |title=सत्संग में गुरु की महत्ता पर डाला प्रकाश |url=https://www.livehindustan.com/uttar-pradesh/moradabad/story-shed-light-on-importance-of-guru-in-satsang-6527711.html |access-date=29 May 2022 |publisher=Hindustan |date=22 May 2022 |language=hindi}}</ref>
== Activities == The following activities may take place in a satsanga:<ref name="sa1">{{cite news |title=Importance of Satsang {{!}} Satsang |url=https://www.hinduscriptures.com/vedic-culture/way-of-life/satsang/importance-of-satsang/1925/ |access-date=29 May 2022 |publisher=Hindu Scriptures {{!}} Vedic lifestyle, Scriptures, Vedas, Upanishads, Itihaas, Smrutis, Sanskrit. |date=23 December 2017}}</ref><ref name="sa3" /><ref name="sa8">{{cite news |last1=Kumari |first1=Deepika |date=25 May 2022 |title=जालंधर में बावा लाल दयाल आश्रम में सत्संग का आयोजन, संकीर्तन मंडली ने किया प्रभु महिमा का गुणगान |language=hi |publisher=Dainik Jagran |url=https://www.jagran.com/punjab/jalandhar-city-organizing-satsang-at-bawa-lal-dayal-ashram-in-jalandhar-22742859.html |access-date=29 May 2022 }}</ref>
* Spiritual discourse * Bhajans * Chanting of mantras * Meditation * Tree planting * Cleanliness programmes * Spiritual stories * Weddings
== See also == * Guru * Rishi * Pandit
== References == {{Reflist}}
{{Auth}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
Category:Rituals in Hindu worship